Reset Windows 10 prior to selling laptop

I have done a reset on my HP laptop as I am going to sell it. I don't understand at what point to 'stop' - when the setup questions start - e.g connect to Wifi, Language, Keyboard, etc.

At what point do I just switch the laptop off ready for the buyer to set up?

(Windows 10)

I would disconnect internet when doing the setup, then turn off when you get to the 'Who will be using this computer' dialog. At that point the buyer can enter their credentials and connect their own internet to complete setup

There are various places where you could stop installation, but I always like right after the files are copied to the HD and the system is about to do its first reboot. Since it is about to reboot anyway it's a good natural point to cut the power and it's also the earliest point in the installation where you no longer need the install media to be connected to the computer.

Normally, I wait until after the computer is done with all reboots and gets to the first question screen. That ensures that all the basic hardware drivers have loaded. Then I press shift + F10 to open a command prompt. Then enter the command:

Code:

shutdown /s /t 00

This is probably well beyond the initial intent of this question, but if you want a really professional installation, you could do one the following:

Option 1 - More difficult of the 2 options, but does a really professional installation
=======
1) Perform a complete installation of Windows including all drivers.
2) Create a sysprep image and update your Windows installation media with that image.
3) Start a new installation and stop part way as noted in the previous posts in this thread.

This will have the advantage of having a completely finished install when setup is done including all drivers for the system.

Option 2 - less difficult, in fact VERY easy, but user will need to run one single batch file after initial installation.
=======
1) With Windows installed, run the following command:

Code:

pnputil /export-driver * C:\Drivers

C:\Drivers can be replaced by any directory. This command will take all drivers and save them to the directory you specify. When done, copy them off to a thumb drive.

2) On that same thumb drive, create a batch file that contains the following:

Code:

pnputil /add-driver *.inf /subdirs /install

3) Do a normal install, pausing setup as as previously described.
4) When the new owner finishes the installation, they can run the batch file on the thumb drive. When done, all drivers will be installed.

hsehestedt said:

This is probably well beyond the initial intent of this question, but if you want a really professional installation, you could do one the following:

Option 1 - More difficult of the 2 options, but does a really professional installation
=======
1) Perform a complete installation of Windows including all drivers.
2) Create a sysprep image and update your Windows installation media with that image.
3) Start a new installation and stop part way as noted in the previous posts in this thread.

This will have the advantage of having a completely finished install when setup is done including all drivers for the system.

Option 2 - less difficult, in fact VERY easy, but user will need to run one single batch file after initial installation.
=======
1) With Windows installed, run the following command:

Code:

pnputil /export-driver * C:\Drivers

C:\Drivers can be replaced by any directory. This command will take all drivers and save them to the directory you specify. When done, copy them off to a thumb drive.

2) On that same thumb drive, create a batch file that contains the following:

Code:

pnputil /add-driver *.inf /subdirs /install

3) Do a normal install, pausing setup as as previously described.
4) When the new owner finishes the installation, they can run the batch file on the thumb drive. When done, all drivers will be installed.

Instead of doing all that, why not just press Ctrl + Shift + F3 to enter audit mode to complete the installation then when finished select the shutdown to OOBE option?

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win...-mode-overview

NavyLCDR said:

Instead of doing all that, why not just press Ctrl + Shift + F3 to enter audit mode to complete the installation then when finished select the shutdown to OOBE option?

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win...-mode-overview

Absolutely, your suggestion would be easier than what I had suggested.

I should be a little clearer and add that my suggestions include things that could be provided to the new owner, like a syspreped image or a driver install kit that could install all drivers with a single batch file.

Up until about 3 years ago, I used to replace my laptop every 6 months. I would always provide to the new user a kit so that they themselves could perform easy reinstalls if they ever had to.

janey6 said:

I have done a reset on my HP laptop as I am going to sell it. I don't understand at what point to 'stop' - when the setup questions start - e.g connect to Wifi, Language, Keyboard, etc. At what point do I just switch the laptop off ready for the buyer to set up? (Windows 10)

Since I saw this late, you have probably already sold this -- but you need to know that a factory reset does NOT wipe the drive; all it does is reformat it. That means any personal/sensitive data you had on it is still there! Any decent data recovery program will be able to recover most of not all of that.

There is a tutorial on the HP Support Forums about the steps needed to wipe and restore the PC so that your personal data is really gone.

Mark Phelps said:

Since I saw this late, you have probably already sold this -- but you need to know that a factory reset does NOT wipe the drive; all it does is reformat it. That means any personal/sensitive data you had on it is still there! Any decent data recovery program will be able to recover most of not all of that.

Windows 10 Reset has an option to clean the drive:

Fully clean the drive = This performs a secure erase to fully clean your drive by overwriting your files so that they can't be easily recovered. This can take several hours to finish. You would want to do this option if you are recycling or selling your computer.

How to Reset Windows 10 -- Remove everything